ATTORNEY GENERAL REACTS TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR DECISION ON MINERAL LEASING ACT

08/27/2013

DENVER—Colorado Attorney General John Suthers today reacted to a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior to refund to Colorado and other states oil and gas royalties previously withheld as a “federal expenditure” under sequestration.

“From a historical and legal perspective, the federal government’s position was untenable. The Interior Department’s change of stance is the right thing to do,” applauded Suthers.

Interior’s change of position came three weeks after Suthers and nine other Western attorneys general wrote to the Obama Administration demanding that the mineral royalties be paid to the states.

“We will continue vigilant oversight to ensure the federal government returns more than $5.7 million in royalty payments that are rightfully the state of Colorado’s and does not high jack any future payments owed,” continued Suthers.